Music stand

ABSTRACT

There is provided a music stand which comprises a telescopic stem, a sheet music holder at one end of the stem and a supporting base at the other end of the stem, wherein the stem provides a retracted position and at least one extended position, the holder being pivotally attached to the stem so as to be rotatable between an angled position relative to the stem and a closed position against the stem.

[0001] This invention relates to a music stand which when not in use canbe folded into a convenient shape for storage and transportation.

[0002] Conventional music stands include a substantially vertical stem,a supporting base with legs or feet, and a sheet music holder typicallyin the form of a tray or desk. Adjustment means are commonly provided topermit the music holder to be set at a preferred angle relative to thestem. Further adjustment means are commonly provided on the stem tocontrol the height of the stand, this being typically assisted byemploying a telescopic stem. The base and music holder may also beconstructed to permit folding into a shape which facilitates packing,storage and transportation.

[0003] The known folding music stands suffer from a variety ofdisadvantages. Starting from the erect configuration the music holdergenerally has to be removed from the stem, thus splitting the productinto two pieces which must be handled and stored separately. Some standshave music holders formed by a framework of pivoting bars which can befolded into a linear configuration, but these have the disadvantage thatthe framework does not provide sufficient support to enable a musicianto write on a flimsy score. The folding bases usually have a tripodconfiguration of legs which in the open position may get in the way ofthe musician's feet.

[0004] Numerous screws or other locking devices have to be operated toenable the conventional stands to be dismantled and folded. Moreover,the folded shape of such stands does not lend itself to neat stacking ornesting.

[0005] It is therefore an objective of the present invention to providea music stand which provides a firm support for sheet music, has a widerange of adjustment in use and yet folds into a convenient shape forstorage and transportation.

[0006] According to the present invention there is provided a musicstand which comprises a telescopic stem, a sheet music holder at one endof the stem and a supporting base at the other end of the stem, whereinthe stem provides a retracted position and at least one extendedposition, the sheet music holder being pivotally attached to the stem soas to be rotatable between an angled position relative to the stem and afolded position against the stem, wherein the sheet music holderincludes one or more transverse ledges and, in which on moving from theangled position to the folded position the one or more transverse ledgesof the sheet music holder are directed towards rather than away from thestem.

[0007] The invention provides for a music stand which can be folded fromthe erect position in three simple movements: retracting the stem,rotating the holder and folding the base. These movements can beundertaken in any sequence: The invention further provides for a standwhich can be folded into a convenient flat configuration.

[0008] The music holder is preferably in the form of a flat plate withone or more transverse ledges. The ledges are usually comprised on themusic supporting face of the holder. The ledges are generally fixedrelative to the holder, but in embodiments may be arranged to be movablerelative thereto for example by means of a pivot arrangement whichenables the ledges to be folded towards and away from the holder (e.g.storage and in-use configurations). The flat plate can conveniently beapproximately the same size as the music sheets it is intended tosupport.

[0009] The flat plate generally consists of a planar tray likestructure, but in embodiments it may also be formed by a fan-like arrayof elements, which in combination define a flat plate form. In use withthe stand in the raised position, sheet music is laid on the plate, withits lower edge(s) being supported by a transverse ledge. In oneconvenient embodiment of the invention the plate carries two transverseledges one above the other: the upper ledge supporting sheet music, thelower ledge receiving such items as batons, pencils and erasers.

[0010] The pivotal attachment is preferably such that in the foldedposition the ledge or ledges on the (music supporting face of the)holder are directed towards rather than away from the stem. A gap ispreferably provided in the ledge or ledges to permit themusic-supporting side of the holder plate to fit snugly against the stemwhen in the folded position. The gap is preferably at the centre of theledge. Provision of such gaps ensures that the holder can be rotatedfrom its in-use position until the side upon which the music normallyrests is in contact with the stem, this configuration being particularlyadvantageous in reducing the storage volume of the folded stand.

[0011] The underside of the music holder is preferably shaped, forexample with depressions or projections, to match the foldedconfiguration of other stands according to the invention so that whenone folded stand is placed on another the stands engage with each otherso as to assist orderly stacking. The music holder is pivotally attachedto the stem by a pivot member which typically comprises a portionattached to the music holder, a portion attached to the stem, and apivot pin common to the said portions. The axis of the pivot pin ispreferably parallel to the plane of the flat plate.

[0012] Preferably the pivot member presents a level of friction torelative movement of the stem and holder such that the holder can berotated to a desired angle and left there without the need for a lockingdevice.

[0013] Preferably, the pivot member comprises a slotted spring pin suchas to provide said level of friction. Suitably, the slotted spring pincomprises a cylindrical metal tube having a slit portion cut along itslength such that in cross-sectional view it presents a circular profilewith a slit cut through it. In aspects, the pin is made of spring steeland the slot enables it to be pushed into a hole which is smaller thanthe pin's free diameter, thereby ensuring that there exists apredictable level of contact force between the pin and the wall of thehole. This contact force in turn ensures that when the pin tries to turnwithin the hole a predictable level of friction is developed between thepin and the hole, which opposes the turning torque.

[0014] The pivot member is preferably attached to a point on the centreline of the holder. In general the attachment is most conveniently madeto the centre of a transverse ledge on the lower edge of the holder, thepivot member being positioned within the height of the ledge in orderfor the stand to fold flat.

[0015] The preferred direction of folding is for the music-supportingside of the holder to be rotated to a folded position in which that sideof the holder faces the stem. If the holder is set for use at an angleof 30° to the vertical the rotation will therefore be through an angleof about 210°.

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention the holder is attached to thestem by a pivot whose axis runs transversely some way up the ledge andon the far side of it from the sheet music. The design and position ofthis pivot should be such that when the stand is in use the pivot memberdoes not protrude in any way into the part of the holder on which thesheet music rests.

[0017] The stem consists of a number of telescopic elements. In apreferred embodiment of the invention friction joints are providedbetween adjacent telescopic elements. Such joints offer the advantagethat the relative position of the telescopic elements to each other, andthus the height of the stand, can be readily adjusted without the needto slacken and re-tighten locking devices.

[0018] It is important that the stem has good lateral rigidity in itsextended state. In a preferred embodiment of the invention to addressthis requirement the telescopic elements are of successively smallercross-sectional size such that each one fits inside the next with asufficient clearance to receive bearing elements which provide thedesired friction joints. It is preferred that at least some of thebearing elements are spring-loaded, for example with leaf springs. Thebearings should include stops to prevent the respective elements frombeing separated from each other.

[0019] Provision of internal bearing elements offers the advantage thatboth the friction joints and the means for aligning successive elementsare entirely accommodated in the space between adjacent members so thateach element can be of substantially the same length. Thus unlike manyprevious stands, the extra length gained by adding another element doesnot decline with each successive element.

[0020] The telescopic elements are preferably of non-circularcross-section. This prevents twisting of the stem and thus preventsrotation of the holder relative to the base. Preferred non-circularshapes include elliptical or polygonal cross-sections since theseenhance the torsional stiffness of the stem, especially for stems withspring-loaded bearings. A hexagonal shape with two opposing sides ofgreater length than the other sides is especially preferred.

[0021] Preferably, the telescopic elements are all of substantially thesame length.

[0022] The retracted length of the stem relative to the height of themusic holder and the fore and aft dimension of the base are preferablysuch that the retracted stem fits within the envelope formed by thefolded holder and base. Similarly the thickness of the stem and base arepreferably less than the depth of the transverse ledge(s) such that inthe folded position they are also within the said envelope. Suchdimensions help in ensuring a convenient folded shape which facilitatestransport and storage.

[0023] There are several convenient options for the shape of baseaccording to the invention. It must however be of a sufficient size andweight to support the erect stand and may if required be weighted toimprove stability.

[0024] In one configuration the base is in the form of an inverted box.This has the advantage that when the stand is folded the base and holderform an enclosed case with the retracted stem inside. Sheet music andother items could then also be carried inside the case. A carryinghandle is preferably provided on an outside edge of the box.

[0025] In other configurations the base may be formed of two elongatedlegs, one either side of the stand and fixedly joined to each other by across member which supports the stem. Preferably the legs and the crossmember are joined in the shape of the lower part of a capital A. Thisconfiguration not only gives the base a low profile but also enablesmultiple erected stands to nest compactly together.

[0026] In a preferred version of stand according to the invention thestem is inclined slightly to the vertical in the erect position, forexample at an angle of about 15°, sloping towards the user and thusdistancing the base from the user's feet.

[0027] The base can be attached to the stem by a pivot member similar tothat attaching the music holder to the stem, but with a slightlydifferent range of adjustment to allow the base to be rotated betweenthe folded position in which the base is parallel to the stem and theerect position in which the base is parallel to the floor. The axis ofrotation of this pivot member should be transverse to the stem andparallel to the axis of rotation of the music holder.

[0028] Preferably, the stand is provided with retention means betweenthe base and the stem to retain the stand in the respective folded anderect positions.

[0029] Suitably, a pivot member between the base and stem acts as theretention means, and preferably includes one or more of friction means,a spring mechanism or stops to sustain it in the respective folded anderect positions but does not need to be stable at positions between thefolded and erect positions. Depending of the configuration of the pivotmember, movement of the base between the erect position to the foldedposition against the stem either requires rotation though 270° plus anyinclined angle of the erect stand, or through 90° less any inclinedangle of the erect stand. The means to sustain the base in the foldedposition must be of sufficient strength to support the weight of thebase, including any stability weights within it.

[0030] In alternative embodiments of the invention the base may comprisetwo legs which instead of being fixedly joined to a cross member whichsupports the stem are each pivotally and independently attached to thesaid cross member. The pivot configuration can either be such that thelegs can be folded inwards to a position parallel to and aligned withthe said cross member or folded upwards to positions parallel to thestem. In one aspect, such independently rotatable legs their respectivepivot members preferably include a dog mechanism to retain the legs intheir respective folded and erect positions. In another aspect, themovement of the two legs is coupled through a coupling member (i.e. thelegs are movable in coupled fashion).

[0031] To fold the stand, the holder is rotated until it lies flatagainst the stem, the stem is retracted to its minimum length, and thebase is moved into its folded position. In this state the stand presentsa substantially flat object approximately the size of a music score,with a depth equal to the depth of the ledge on the holder. Especiallywhen the option of having locating devices is adopted, successive foldedstands can be stacked in a stable manner.

[0032] Stands according to the invention offer a number of advantages: afirm and solid music holder; adjustment over a wide range of heights andangles; a base which sits flat on the floor. They can be folded anderected in three simple movements. They also offer a unitaryconstruction, without the need for separately operated locking devices,and which avoids the problems associated with stands that need to bedismantled into two or more constituent parts.

[0033] The invention is further described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

[0034]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first version of music standaccording to the invention and shown in the raised position ready foruse;

[0035]FIG. 2 is a side section through the base of the stand shown inFIG. 1, as viewed from A-A in FIG. 1;

[0036]FIGS. 3a, 3 b and 3 c are detailed views of portions of the stemof the music stand shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; FIG. 3a shows the assembledstem in an extended position whereas FIGS. 3b and 3 c present anexploded view of stem components;

[0037]FIG. 4 is a section through the centre of the music holder of themusic stand shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, as viewed from B-B in FIG. 1;

[0038]FIG. 5 is a section through the centre of an alternative versionof music holder according to the invention, as viewed from a similarposition to FIG. 4;

[0039]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative version of thestand;

[0040]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another alternative version of thestand;

[0041]FIGS. 8a, 8 b, 8 c and 8 d show side views of the stand of FIGS. 1to 4, illustrating how it can be folded; and

[0042]FIG. 9 shows a variation of the music stand of FIG. 1.

[0043] The version of the stand illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 has a base1, a telescopic stem 9 and a music holder 10 in the form of a tray.

[0044] The base 1 has a left leg 3 and a right leg 4, rigidly connectedto the left and right ends respectively of a tubular bar 5 (shown inFIG. 2) and having small feet 2 at either end. The bar 5 is located androtatable within a tubular bracket 6 attached to the lower end of thestem 9. The legs 3 and 4 and the bar 5 are joined in the shape of thelower part of a capital A.

[0045] The bar 5 has a hole 7 through which a ball bearing 8 is pushedunder the action of a coil spring 8 a towards the interior of thebracket 6. The number of such balls 8 and springs 8 a can be varied inorder to achieve sufficient force, and in one aspect, there are 4 ofeach of them. Furthermore, the axis of one or more of the ball bearingand spring pairs can be rotated very slightly relative to the others inorder to eliminate backlash between the bar 5 and the bracket 6 at thefixed positions.

[0046] In one aspect as shown, shaped recesses 10 a and 10 b areprovided within the bracket 6 so as to limit movement of the ball 9, andthus of the base 1, between positions 10 a and 10 b via an intermediatepart 10 c of the internal surface of the bracket 6. Thus the base 1 canbe rotated through about 270° within the bottom bracket 6 between thetwo extreme positions 10 a and 10 b, and is held in either one untilrotated to the other.

[0047] In another aspect, shaped recesses 10 a and 10 b are providedwithin the bracket 6 so as to provide preferred positions of the ball 9,and thus of the base 1, in positions 10 a and 10 b of the internalsurface of the bracket 6. Thus the base 1 can be rotated within thebottom bracket 6 between the two positions 10 a and 10 b, and is held ineither one until rotated to the other.

[0048] The telescopic stem 9 consists of five tubular elements 11, 12,13, 14,15, each of hexagonal lozenge-shaped cross-section. The saidtubular elements are of successively smaller size such that they fitinside each other with some clearance., providing space for bearingelements 16, 17, 18, 19 to be located between them. For clarity ofillustration the bearing elements 16 and 17 are shown in FIG. 3bexternally to the tube 11, although in practice they are located withinthe tube 11 as shown in FIG. 3a. The bearing 16 is fixed to the insideof the tube 11 at its upper end, and prevented from movement along thetubes 11 and 12 by an outwardly protruding spigot 16a which engages in ahole 11 a in the tube 11. The bearing 17 is similarly located within theopposite side of the upper end of tube 11, again with an outwardlyprotruding spigot 17 a which engages in a hole 11 a in the tube 11, butwith a leaf spring 20 interposed between the bearing 17 and the insideface of the tube 11. Bearing 18 is located on the outside of tube 12 atits lower end, and prevented from axial movement by an inwardlyprotruding spigot 18 a which engages in a hole 12 a in the tube 12.Bearing 19 is similarly located and prevented from axial movement on theopposite side of tube 12 and with a leaf spring 20 interposed betweenthe bearing 19 and the outside face of the tube 12.

[0049] In the assembled stand the bearings 16, 17, 18, 19 and leafsprings 20 keep the tubes 11 and 12 in the required alignment to ensurea stable configuration of the stem 9, in which axial sliding can onlytake place when the surface friction provided by the springs 20 has beenovercome. The telescopic extension of the tubes 11 and 12 is limited bybearings 16 and 18 making contact, and they are provided with resilientends to act as buffers.

[0050] The tray 10 is attached to the top of stem 9 by a pivot membercomprising a top bracket 21 attached to the stem 9, a slotted spring pin22 and flanges 23 on the tray 10. The pin 22 passes through the trayflanges 23 and the top bracket 21, thereby acting as a pivot axle. Thepin 22 is a tight fit within the flanges 23 and the top bracket 21 so asto provide torsional friction which maintains the tray 10 at any anglechosen by the user. The spring pin 22 is arranged to remain a tight fitirrespective of wear of the rubbing surfaces because its free diameteris greater than the bore diameter of the flanges 23 and the bracket 21.

[0051] Two ledges, 24 and 25, are provided across the lower edge of thetray 10. The first ledge 24 is to prevent music sheets from sliding offand the second ledge 25 provides storage for batons, pencils, erasers,etc. The ledges 24 and 25 each have a central gap and a depth such thatin the folded position of the stand the tray 10 can be folded into aplane parallel to the axis of the stem 9.

[0052]FIG. 5 shows an alternative version of tray according to theinvention, in which just one ledge 34 is provided. In this version thepivot member is located beneath the ledge 34 and comprises a top bracket31 attached to the stem 9, a slotted spring pin 32 and flanges 33 on theunderside of the ledge 34. The ledge 34 again has a central gap toaccommodate the stem 9 in the folded position. The pin 32 is again atight fit within the flanges 33 and the top bracket 31 so as to maintainthe tray 10 at any chosen angle.

[0053]FIG. 6 shows an alternative version of stand according to theinvention, in which the base takes the form of an inverted box 40 with acarrying handle 41. When the stand is folded the base 40 and tray 10form a case with the retracted stem 9 inside. Sheet music and otheritems can then also be carried Inside the case.

[0054]FIG. 7 shows a further version of stand according to theinvention, with a different means of attachment of the base legs. Inthis version legs 53 and 54 form with a bar 55 an opened base of similar“truncated A” appearance to that of FIG. 1. In the FIG. 7 versionhowever the legs 53, 54 pivot about axes 56 and 57 respectively parallelto the stem 9.

[0055]FIG. 8a is a side view of the stand of FIGS. 1-4. It indicates bycurved line A the action of rotating the music-holding tray 10 from itserect position to lie flat against the stem 9. FIG. 8b indicates by lineB the rotation of the base 9 into its folded position. FIG. 8c indicatesby line C the push action necessary to retract the stem 9 to its minimumlength. Finally FIG. 8d shows the stand fully retracted with the tray 10and base 1 lying flat against the stem 9 and thus presenting asubstantially flat object for subsequent handling or storage.

[0056]FIG. 9 shows a variation of the music stand of FIG. 1, in whichall elements of the stand correspond with those of FIG. 1 except legelements 58 and 59. In the configuration of FIG. 9, the legs 58 and 59point away from the musician rather than towards him. This has theadvantage that the stem 9 is nearly vertical, and therefore the centreof gravity does not move nearer to the musician as the stand is raised.On the other hand the configuration shown in FIG. 1 invites the musicianto stand in the open part of the base, and is therefore in some waysmore user-friendly. The stem 9 in FIG. 1 is also less likely to get inthe musician's way.

1. A music stand which comprises a telescopic stem, a sheet music holderat one end of the stem and a supporting base at the other end of thestem, wherein the stem provides a retracted position and at least oneextended position, the sheet music holder being pivotally attached tothe stem so as to be rotatable between an angled position relative tothe stem and a folded position against the stem, wherein the sheet musicholder includes one or more transverse ledges and, in which on movingfrom the angled position to the folded position the one or moretransverse ledges of the sheet music holder are directed towards ratherthan away from the stem.
 2. A music stand as claimed in claim 1, inwhich the sheet music holder includes two transverse ledges one abovethe other.
 3. A music stand as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, inwhich the sheet music holder is in the form of a flat plate.
 4. A musicstand as claimed in claim 3, in which the flat plate comprises a planartray like structure.
 5. A music stand as claimed in claim 2, in which agap is provided in the ledge or ledges to permit the music-supportingside of the holder plate to fit snugly against the stem when in thefolded position.
 6. A music stand as claimed in claim 2, in which theholder is attached to the stem by a pivot whose axis runs transverselysome way up the ledge and on the far side of it from the sheet music. 7.A music stand as claimed in claim 1, in which the underside of the musicholder is shaped to match the folded configuration of other standsaccording to the invention so that when one folded stand is placed onanother the stands engage with each other so as to assist orderlystacking.
 8. A music stand as claimed in claim 1, in which the musicholder is pivotally attached to the stem by a pivot member whichcomprises a pivot pin having an axis parallel to the plane defined bythe sheet music holder.
 9. A music stand as claimed in claim 8, in whichthe pivot member presents a level of friction to relative movement ofthe stem and holder such that the holder can be rotated to a desiredangle and left there without the need for a locking device.
 10. A musicstand as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pivot member comprises aslotted spring pin such as to torsionally provide said level offriction.
 11. A music stand as claimed in claim 8, in which the pivotmember is attached to a point on the centre line of the holder.
 12. Amusic stand as claimed in claim 1, in which the stem consists of anumber of telescopic elements having friction joints between adjacenttelescopic elements.
 13. A music stand as claimed in claim 12, in whichthe telescopic elements are of successively smaller cross-sectional sizesuch that each one fits inside the next with a sufficient clearance toreceive bearing elements which provide the desired friction joints. 14.A music stand as claimed in any claim 13, in which at least some of thebearing elements are spring-loaded.
 15. A music stand as claimed inclaim 12, in which the telescopic elements are of non-circularcross-section.
 16. A music stand as claimed in claim 15, in which thetelescopic elements have a hexagonal shape with two opposing sides ofgreater length than the other sides.
 17. A music stand as claimed inclaim 12, wherein the telescopic elements are all of substantially thesame length.
 18. A music stand as claimed in claim 1, in which theretracted length of the stem relative to the height of the music holderand the fore and aft dimension of the base are such that the retractedstem fits within the envelope formed by the folded holder and base. 19.A music stand as claimed in claim 1, in which the thicknesses of thestem and base are less than the depth of the transverse ledge(s) suchthat in the folded position they are within the envelope formed by thefolded holder and base.
 20. A music stand as claimed in claim 1, inwhich the base is in the form of an inverted box.
 21. A music stand asclaimed in claim 1, in which the base is formed of two elongated legs,one either side of the stand and fixedly joined to each other by a crossmember which supports the stem.
 22. A music stand as claimed in claim21, in which the legs and the cross member are joined in the shape ofthe lower part of a capital A.
 23. A music stand as claimed in claim 1,in which the base comprises two legs which are each pivotally andindependently attached to the said cross member.
 24. A music stand asclaimed in claim 23, wherein the two legs are coupled through a couplingmember such that the legs are movable in coupled fashion relative toeach other.
 25. A music stand as claimed in claim 1, in which the stemin the erect position slopes towards a user.
 26. A music stand asclaimed in claim 1, having retention means between the base and stemwhich includes one or more of friction means, a spring mechanism orstops to retain the stand in the respective folded and erect positions.27. A music stand as claimed in claim 26, wherein the retention meanscomprises a pivot member which includes one or more of friction means, aspring mechanism or stops.